Guadalupe Córdoba Rodriguez didn't really know how old she was. She knew she was over 100. She was 9 years old when the Mexican Revolution started. That was in 1910according to Wikipedia.com. She doesn't know the day of her birth, but Church records will indicate that she was born late in 1901. That makes her 108 today and 107 when she was baptized. She remembers the Revolution very well. Elders Minetto and Sanchez found her in November. Her daughter is a "sort of active" member. So how old is the daughter? Good question. She doesn't look a day over 70. Sister Guadalupe, as everyone calls her, took to the gospel very quickly. She was to be baptized in December but got ill. The family took her to the State of Tabasco for treatment and she didn't come back for months. Finally, here she was again in February. The missionaries had been changed, so the new ones started over. They kept talking about baptism and she would always say, "I am willing and ready to be baptized if I am alive." One night about 8:00, the missionaries stopped by just to check on her. She told Elder Alvarado, from Del Mar, California, that he was too skinny and got up, made him some tortillas and beans.

She was set for baptism the April 28,2008 but the daughter took her out of town for a visit to family. She came back on Monday. The elders set her for Wednesday the 1st of April. We drove them from zone conference in Coatzacoalcos to their area, Agua Dulce, the southernmost area of the mission.

When we arrived, there they all were waiting for us. Maybe 10-12 member ladies, the bishop, the ward mission leader, and the guest of honor, Guadalupe Córdoba Rodriguez; they were all there. She is a bright and smiling toothless little soul. Her hearing is much better than mine, and she is sharp as a tack. The temperature was probably 90+. Stepping out of the van, I was instantly drenched with sweat. But, Elder Alvarado noticed that she might be chilly and took off his jacket draping it over her shoulders. (Suits are not normally required. We had just come from zone conference. By then, I was not wearing my suit coat.)

We retired to the baptismal font room. After two brief talks and congregational "singing" the elders and others helped Sister Guadalupe into the font. Elder Alvarado was really concerned. He had tested the water and told me that it was quite cold. As they entered the water, it was warm. Yet, another miracle was about to take place. Elder Gumeta said the ordinance prayer. The ward mission leader was in the font with the two elders. They took their time. Sis. Guadalupe covered her nose. The three of them then carefully laid her flat in their arms, parellel to the water surface. She weighs less than 80 pounds, I am sure--this was all about her fragility. All at once they immersed her very gently and carefully into the water. It was perfect and highly spiritual. She was so happy. The congregation, 25 or 30 people, wept with joy.

Afterwards, they asked me to confirm her. The bishop determined that he wanted her confirmed at fontside considering her age, her health, and that the following Sunday was general conference 45 minutes north. She was blessed that she would see her ancestors, that they would greet her in paradise, and that the day would come that she would see both her Savior and her Heavenly Father. She was also blessed that through her example that other members of her family would find the gospel and enter the waters of baptism. After the baptism, outside of the building, I asked Sis. Guadalupe how she felt. "Soy libre!," she exclaimed. "I am free.!"